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Zheng Tian
Late Tang chancellor from Xingyang, courtesy name Taiwen, who held Fengxiang against Huang Chao and defeated Shang Rang in 881; author of the poem Mawei Slope.
In a council hall, a long table holds an unrolled map scroll, a brass-cornered chest and a brush pot, with tall-backed chairs around it and a bronze lamp at the left; a figure stands with their back turned on the balcony at the right, with palace roofs beyond.
Also known as Courtesy name Taiwen
Zheng Tian, courtesy name Taiwen, came from Xingyang (modern Xingyang, Henan) and was a late Tang chancellor. He held posts as secretary-drafter, vice-minister of revenue, Hanlin academician and minister of war. Removed in 878 for opposing the pardon of Huang Chao, he became military governor of Fengxiang in 880 and organized the resistance; in 881 he defeated Huang Chao's general Shang Rang at Longweipo, but was then driven out by his own officer Li Changyan and demoted to Junior Mentor of the Heir. He held the rank of Minister of the Masses in 883 and died that year. His poem Mawei Slope concerns Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei.
Life and times
Dates 825 CE–883 CE